Autopneumatic organ.



G. O. RUSSELL.

AUTOPNEUMATIG ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1913.

1 70,739, Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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G. G. RUSSELL.

AUTOPNEUMATIG ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. e. 1913.

Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (10-. WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. G. RUSSELL.

AUTOPNEUMATIC ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1913. 1,070,739. Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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AUTOPNEUMATIG ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN, 6, 1913.

1,070,739. Patented Aug. 19, 191 3.

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COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH co, WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED sTArns PATENT onricn.

CHARLES C. RUSSELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOPNEUMATIC ORGAN.

Application filed January 6, 1913.

To all whom 2'25 may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Autopneumatic Organs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to pro-- vide an improved construction of pneumatically operated automatic organ which shall be very compact and thereby adapted to constitute a portable device for automatic playing.

It consists in the elements and features of construction shown and described as indicated in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a front view of an instrument embodying this invention with the front of the casing removed or broken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism on an enlarged scale, the tracker-board and connecting tubes being omitted. Fig. 8 is a section at the line, 33, on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section at the line 44, on Fig. 2, showing a single reed chamber and its valve and adjacent connections. Fig. 5 is a detail section at the line, 55, on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a section at the line 6--6 on Fig. 2.

The drawings illustrate the automatic playing mechanism embodying this invention, as mounted in a cabinet, 1, in which there is also mounted a pumping mechanism, 2, actuated by a motor conventionally indicated at 3. It will be understood that the actual pumping mechanism is such as to maintain continuously a partially exhausted condition in the air chambers and passages of the instrument as necessary for the opera tion of the sounding devices. For this purpose the instrument has an exhaust chamber, at, connected by a passage, 5, with the pumping mechanism, and on said exhaust chamber there is mounted the reed chamber block, 6, in which there are formed vertical reed chambers, 7, constituting a set in chromatically progressive order to any desired number of octaves. These reed chambers are arranged in two rows, one row,-f0r playing the higher or treble notes,and the other row,for playing the lower or bass notes in the other row, the reed chambers in the two rows being arranged so that each chamber in one row is opposite a chamber in the other Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19,1913.

Serial No. 740,276.

row so that they may be said to be in pairs. Preferably, and as intended to be indicated in the drawings, the reed chambers in the two rows are arranged so that the order of chromatic progression from the lowest note to the highest note is commencing at the left hand end of one row with the lowest note to the right hand end of that row and then back to the left hand end of the other row which ends with the highest note so that the reed chambers for the highest note and the lowest end of the entire set are paired with each other at one end of the rows, and the reed chambers for the two middle notes are paired with each other at the other end. This maybe understood from the showing in Fig. 3 which is a section through the left hand end pair, and shows the two chambers of the pair respectively the longest and the shortest of the set, and from the characters of-the customary stalf notation applied to the valves controlling the several reed chambers on Fig. 2.

The two valves for each pair of chambers are formed by means of a single flexible facing strip, 8, constituting the face of the valve and also affording a hinge for both valves, valve blocks, 9,9, being mounted upon the opposite end portions of this strip, and the strip being secured to the upper end of the reed chamber block, 6, for hinging the valves at a common hinge line which extends lengthwise of the block between the two rows of valve chamber mouths by a screw eye, 8 From this it results that the two valves of each pair extend in opposite directions from their common hinge to cover the reed chamber mouths to which they pertain in the two rows, respectively.

Pneumatics for operating the reed chamber valves are similarly arranged in two rows, one row behind the reed chamber block and the other in front of that block, each row having the pneumatics in three banks or levels according to familiar construction so that each pneumatic may have a width substantially three times the width of the reed chamber valve which it operates. Each pneumatic unit is of familiar construction, comprising a power pneumatic, 12, and primary pneumatic, 13, formed in the same block, 15, which is mounted endwise against an upright exhaust chamber, 16, in whose inner wall there are formed ducts, 17, leading to the primary pneumatic, and connected by flexible tubes, 18, with the tracker. This construction has the advantage of compactness and symmetry and, as will be observed from Fig. 3, makes the exhaust chambers serve as front and rear walls of the pneumatic structure, inclosing between them the pneumatics and reed chambers.

The tracker, 20, is mounted directly above the hinge line of the reed chamber valves,

being supported at its ends upon theends of the reed chamber block, 6, and having the flexible tubes, 18, leading to it from the front and rear exhaust chambers, 16, as seen in Fig. 3. By reason of the arrangement of the reed chambers in the two rows as above described, that is, so that the reed chambers for the highest and lowest ends are paired with each other at one end, and the chambers for the middle ends are paired with each other at the other end of the rows, and the tracker having its duct mouths in a single row with the mouth for the lowest note at the left hand end and that for the highest note at the right hand end, it will be seen that the tubes from these two extreme duct mouths leading to the pneumatics which are paired with each other at the left hand end of the row, are respectively the shortest and the longest tubes of the entire set, and that the tubes of the pair pertaining to the pair of reed chambers at the other end of the row and running to the middle of the tracker board for playing two consecutive notes will be of substantially the same length, and that the two tubes of all the intermediate pairs between the pairs mentioned differ in length less and less as the distance between the two notes to which they correspond isless and less; so that the lower the note, the shorter the tube which connects its tracker duct with its pneumatic.

This is desirable because with a given tension in the exhaust chamber operating upon the reeds when the reed valves are open, the a lower the note, the more slowly the reed will speak, and this difference in promptness of speaking is compensated by the greater promptness in action of the pneumatic which results from giving it a shorter con- 5 nection with the tracker duct mouth.

The valves, 9, are extended beyond the longltudinal edges of the reed chamberblock, 6, so as to overhang the extended ends of the moving members of the motor pneumatics, and each valve is provided with a contact pin, 20, screwed through 1ts overhanging end and extending downward in a and 26, are in contact at the normal or in flated position of the power pneumatic so that there is no lost motion between the pneumatic of the valve. For cushioning the impact of the heads of the two pins in any case in which the pneumatic recovers its normal position more quickly than. the valve and so rendering the impact noiseless, both pins, 25 and 26, are provided with cushioning heads, 25 and 26, which are preferably in both cases in the form of hollow rubber bulbs.

Directly over the tracker and over the valve hinge line there is mounted and suitably supported at its ends upon the reed chamber block, 6, a bar, 27 which for c011- venience of construction is made in two pieces mounted together, back to back, as seen in Figs. 8 and 4, upon which there are secured very light wire springs, 28, which bear upon the valves 9, and tend to quicken their closing action. These springs may be dispensed with without very materially affecting the operation, but when present, they tend to make it possible to repeat the notes more rapidly than can be done when gravity alone is relied upon for closing the valves between the repeated soundings.

For spacing apart the valve blocks, 9, of each row, and guiding them in their vertical movement toward and from the seat, I employ common toilet pins, 30, having knob heads, 31, driving these pins into the top of the reed chamber block, '6, leaving them protruding suiiiciently so that the knob heads, 31, will serve as stops for the valve blocks, preventing them from throwing over too far (when the springs, 28, are not employed). But the elasticity of the pins, 30, adapts them to be sprung aside whenever, for attention to the reeds, it is necessary to swing the valve blockclear over past the pin heads.

This afl'ords a very cheap and easily assembled constructlon.

1. In an automatic reed organ comprising a chromatically progressive set of reed chambers arranged in two adjacent rows, one row comprising the upper half and the other row the lower half of the entire set; valves for said chambers respectively; pneumatics for operating the respective valves; a tracker having ducts in a single row for controlling both rows of reed chambers and tubes from the tracker ducts to the pneumatics, respectively.

'2. In an automatic reed organ in combination with a chromatically progressive set of reed chambers arranged in two rows, one row comprising the upper half and the other row comprising the lower half of the entire set; said reed chambers being set vertically; valves for controlling said reed chambers mounted upon the upper ends thereof, and all hinged at a line between the two rows, whereby the two rows of valves extend in opposite directions from said hinge; two rows of pneumatics for operating said valves, positioned respectively in front of and behind the two rows of reed chambers; exhaust chambers upon which said pneumatics are mounted positioned respectively in front of and behind said two rows of pneumatics; a tracker and tubes from its ducts to the pneumatics, respectively.

3. In an auto-pneumatic reed organ, in combination with a chromatically progressive set of reeds divided into two adjacent rows, each chamber of one row being directly opposite a chamber of the other row, whereby the chambers are arranged in pairs, and pairs of valves for such pairs of chambers, respectively, each comprising a single strip of flexible material forming the valve faces and a hinge common to the two valves of the pair, and valve-blocks mounted on the opposite end portions of such strip, said strips being secured at a hinge line between the two rows of chambers.

4. In an auto-pneumatic reed organ, in combination with a chromatically progressive set of reed chambers, set vertically and arranged in two adjacent rows, each chamber of one row being directly opposite a chamber of the other row; valves construct ed in pairs mounted upon the upper ends of the chambers, each pair comprising a single strip of flexible material forming the valve face and a hinge common to the two valves of the pair and secured at the top of the block in which the chambers are formed at a hinge line between the two rows; pins set into the top of the chamber block between consecutive valves of each row for spacing and guiding the valves, the heads of the pin serving as stops to limit the throw of the valves in opening; pneumatics for operating the several valves, respectively; a tracker and tubes from the ducts thereof to the respective pneumatics for controlling the same.

5. In an auto-pneumatic organ, a reed chamber block having reed chambers formed vertically in it in two rows with a chamber of each row opposite a chamber in the other row; valves in pairs mounted upon the upper end of the block for controlling the chambers, respectively; each pair of valves comprising a strip of flexible material forming the valve face and a hinge common to the two valves of the pair, and for such hinging being secured to the upper end ofthe block at a hinge line between the two rows of chambers; screw eyes by which the strips are thus secured at the hinge line.

6. In an auto-pneumatic organ, in combination with a reed chamber block having reed chambers extending vertically in it and open at the top, said chambers being arranged in two adjacent rows with a chamher of each row opposite a chamber of the other row; valves mounted upon the top of the block for controlling the reed chambers in .pairs corresponding to each pair of op posite reed chambers; said valves being secured at a hinge line between the two rows, whereby the valves for the two rows extend in opposite directions from the hinge line; a bar extending above said hinge line and two rows of springs mounted on said bar extending in opposite directions therefrom, overhanging and bearing upon the valves of the two rows, respectively, for checking the opening movement of the valves and returning them to their seats, and pneumatically-controlled means for operating the valves.

7. In an auto-pneumatic reed organ, in combination with a reed chamber block having reed chambers formed vertically in it in two adjacent rows; valves inv two rows mounted upon the upper end of the block for controlling the reed chambers, respectively, the valves of one row extending beyond the forward edge of the block; pneumatics for operating the respective valves mounted in two rows, one behind and the other in front of the block, and having their moving walls extending under the overhang ing ends of the valves; striker pins connected with the said moving walls, respectively, and extendingup toward said overhanging ends of the valves; contact pins mounted in said overhanging ends and extending downward toward the upwardlyprojecting striker pins, the said downwardlyand upwardly-projecting pins being both provided with cushion terminals for encounter one with the other, said contact pins being screwed through the valves for rendering them adjustable toward and from the striker pin.

8. In an auto-pneumatic reed organ, in combination with a reed chamber block having reed chambers formed vertically in it in two adjacent rows; valves in two rows mounted upon the upper end of the block for controlling the reed chambers, respectively, the valves of one row extending beyond the rear edges, and those of the other row extending beyond the forward edge of the block; pneumatics for operating the respective valves mounted in two rows, one behind and the other in front of the block, and having their moving walls extending under the overhanging ends of the valves; striker pins connected with the said moving walls, respectively, and extending up toward said overhanging ends of the valves; contact pins mounted in said overhanging ends and extending downward toward the upwardlyprojecting striker pins, the said downwardly and upwardly projecting pins being both provided with cushion terminals consisting of hollow flexible bulbs for encounter one with the other, the contact pins being screwed through the valves for rendering them adjustable toward and from the striker pins.

9. In an auto-pneumatic organ, a reed chamber bloc-k having reed chambers formed vertically in it in two rows with a chamber of each row opposite a chamber of the other row; valves in pairs mounted upon the upper end of the blocks for controlling the chambers, respectively; all of said valves being hinged at a common hinge line intermediate the two rows of valve chambers; a bar mounted above such hinge line, and springs extending from said bar to the valves of bot-h sets.

10. In an auto-pneumatic reed organ, in combination with a chromatically progressive set of reed chambers divided into two adjacent rows; valves controlling said reed chambers, respectively, similarly arranged in two adjacent rows; motor pneumatics operating the valves so arranged in two rows, one row of chambers comprising the upper half and the other row comprising the lower half of the set, said rows having the chambers in opposite order so that the chamber for the highest note of the set is paired with the chamber for the lowest note, and the chamher for the two middle notes are paired with each other; a tracker approximately equal in length to one row of reed chambers, and having its duct mouths in a single row, and tubes which connect the tracker duct mouths in regular order from one end to the other of the tracker with the pneumatics for controlling the reed chambers in their regular chromatic order from lowest to highest, whereby said tubes are graduated in length approximately according to the pitch of the notes the shortest tube pertaining to the lowest note.

11. In an automatic reed organ, in combination with a chromatically progressive set of reed chambers arranged in two adjacent rows, the lower or bass half comprising one row and the upper or treble half comprising the other row; a valve for each of said chambers; a pneumatic for independently operating each valve; a tracker having ducts in a single row, one for each of said reed chambers, and tubes from the tracker ducts to the pneumatics respectively.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Illinois, this Q lth day of December, A. D., 1912.

CHARLES C. RUSSELL.

Witnesses LUCY I. STONE, EDNA M. MACINTOSH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

